DIY Pantry Shelves: How to Build Your Kitchen Pantry Shelving (2023)

FAQs

What is the best material to build pantry shelves with? ›

Plywood is the go-to material used for pantry shelves. It's versatile, available in virtually any species of hardwood, and can easily be cut using any table saw. Plywood is ideal for pantry shelves because its edges can be finished with wood trim or iron-on veneer banding.

Don't go too deep. Most experts recommend that pantry shelves be no more than 12 inches deep. Any more, and things begin to get buried.

There are magic numbers to figuring out shelf heights.

Here are some general rules. Allow 6.5 to 7 inches for a shelf of canned goods. Allow 14 to 16 inches for cereal boxes. Allow 18 to 20 inches for large items, like bins of potatoes.

Types of Wood

Shelf: Finish-grade plywood is ideal for the shelves, as it can be cut to a variety of widths while maintaining a low cost per shelf. The unsightly plywood edge can easily be covered with a front trim piece. Front trim piece.

Additionally, as far as height from the ground goes, much like artwork, shelves should be hung near eye level or about four to five feet from the floor.

The bottom shelf of a standard pantry is typically 16 to 18 inches deep, and the space is 18 to 24 inches apart. If you want to store large items, the shelf should be 12 to 14 inches deep, and the space should be around 14 to 16 inches to leave enough room for bulky items like containers and cereal boxes.

As a reference, standard shelf spacing is between 8 to 12 inches. If you want to house entertainment equipment in the same unit, you'll need shelves from 18 to 20 inches deep (for most systems).

How do I build my own built in shelves? ›

You can increase the stiffness of a shelf by sinking screws into it through the solid back of the case. Or, as shown below, add more strength and maintain adjustability by attaching a cleat or molding to the front of the shelf. Aprons can also be added under the shelf.

When there is no stud where you need to attach the wall cleat, first, predrill a hole through the wall cleat and just a tiny bit into your drywall. Then where you drilled into the drywall, insert a heavy duty wall anchor, Then attach your cleats to the wall anchor.

TLDR: A floating shelf can hold 45-50 pounds for every wall stud that your floating shelf bracket is attached to. For instance, a 3' shelf that's attached to two wall studs can safely support ~100 pounds. Likewise, a 2' shelf bracket attached to two wall studs can easily support the same ~100 pounds.

Drill a number of holes the same size as those used for the shelf support pegs on either side, then insert additional peg supports (purchased at any hardware store or home center.) Replace and reload your shelves, and presto up-o, they'll be good as new. They'll stay that way, too.

For the cheapest shelves, use thin plywood and basic 2×4″ lumber. These shelves will be functional but may sag if the weight of the items you store is too heavy. For heavier items or wider spaces between supports, use thicker plywood. High-quality plywood resists sagging when heavier items are stored on the shelves.

Like DIY shelves, ready‑made options also have some cons: Increased Cost – Buying shelves is more costly than buying the materials to make them. Durability – Don't forget that you get what you pay for – if the shelves are cheaply made, they may not provide the strength and durability needed for long term use.

What is the best sheet wood for shelves? ›

Which Wood is the Strongest for a Bookshelf? If the cost of the materials is not a concern, woods like mahogany, African padauk, and koa are considered the best woods for bookshelves, thanks to their durability, strength, and longevity.

The most common size used in shelving is a 3/4 inch thickness. Cabinetry, furniture, and smaller decorative projects might generally use a combination of 1/2 and 3/4 and occasionally 1/4 inch.

According to the experts, the average walk in pantry size should have at least a width of 5 feet by length of 5 feet. This will offer ample space for shelves (and countertops if you choose) and to ensure a minimum walkway of 36 inches for one person.

Shelf depth is determined by the size of the items to be stored, generally within the range of 6 to 24 inches. Shelf depth for a general purpose bookshelf is usually 10 to 12 inches. Shelf spacing will generally range from 7 to 15 inches with 8 to 12 inches being common for bookshelves.

#1 Using Shelf Liner Helps Protect Your Cabinets From Moisture. Using shelf helps protect your cabinets against water stains and rings from not-quite-dry dishes and oil and stain rings from the bottoms of bottles and jars. ​If the surface is in great shape, a liner helps keep it that way.

You can increase the stiffness of a shelf by sinking screws into it through the solid back of the case. Or, as shown below, add more strength and maintain adjustability by attaching a cleat or molding to the front of the shelf. Aprons can also be added under the shelf.

Group like items together. For example, put all of your larger canned goods in one group, smaller canned goods in another, and boxed items in another. Assign each group or combination of groups a different shelf in your pantry and make sure you stick to your system.

What is the best line for shelving? ›

If you're seeking a fancy shelf liner, solid grip, paper, and beaded grip materials are good solutions. Plastic and polypropylene liners are also a decent option for protecting your shelves and easy cleaning.

The surface of the shelf or drawer will determine what type of liner will work best. Open wire shelves need stiff plastic liners so smaller objects won't slip through. Wood cabinet shelves can use flexible liners with adhesive or foam liners without adhesive.